Seven people from the file-sharing site Megaupload were charged on Thursday after federal authorities closed the outlet and charged founder Kim Dotcom and six others with conspiracy and copyright infringement.
The New York Times reports that Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom and three others were arrested in New Zealand on Thursday while three others from Megaupload have yet to be apprehended. The publication also reveals that 20 search warrants were executed in the Megaupload arrests across nine countries, which included the United States. The seven involved in Megaupload were charged with five counts of conspiracy and copyright infringement. At the core of the charges is unauthorized access to movies, music and other media through Megaupload, which violates copyright laws and causes damage to copyright holders.
As reported, a Virginia grand jury indictment claimed that Megaupload caused $500 million in copyright damages by allowing users to anonymously transfer huge files while earning $175 million through subscriptions and ads.
The NY Times also reports that government agencies called the “Mega Conspiracy” one of the biggest criminal copyright cases leveled by the United States.